In the wake of a partisan Supreme Court’s abolition of Roe v. Wade, it’s become increasingly clear that there’s nothing remotely conservative about the Republican Party. In the familiar formulation, today’s GOP is like a dog that has finally caught the car it’s been chasing, seized the bumper in its teeth, and finds itself getting dragged along faster than it can run.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am in a tricky situation, and I’m not sure how to handle it. Recently, I borrowed a friend’s car for spring break and went out of my way to take good care of it, even going as far as getting the oil changed because it needed it. I left it in perfect condition, and yet, when I returned the car to my friend, they tried to make me pay for damages that were already there! I feel tricked. How should I handle this? — Can’t Fool Me DEAR CAN’T FOOL ME: Hopefully you kept the receipts for all of the things you did to the car while it was in your possession. Sit with your friend and calmly list how you used and cared for their car. Point out that you were surprised that you needed to change the oil, as that should be done regularly, meaning they should have handled it. But you took it upon yourself to do it since the car indicated the need.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I work with someone who is enthusiastic but limited in her ability to do her job. Time and again, I find myself needing to explain things to her that seem elementary to me. She has been working for this company for a long time, and I know that she isn’t going anywhere. This isn’t a situation where I can relieve her of her duties and hire someone with better qualifications. Mostly, I bite my tongue and accept that things are the way they are. Recently, she asked me to work on a project with her, and I got to see her mediocre work up close; I lost it. We could be doing so much better. What can I do to improve matters when she isn’t going anywhere? — Mediocre at Best DEAR MEDIOCRE AT BEST: Look at this woman with compassion. It is not her fault that she is limited in her capabilities. It may also be true that she needs considerably more support in order for the company to do an excellent job. Look at her roles and responsibilities. What is she good at? Where does she need help? Who at your company has skills that can fortify her weaknesses? Can any responsibilities be divided up among those who can handle them better? Also, is there room in the budget to hire someone to do the work that she doesn’t do well? Get creative as you look for ways to support her rather than push her out.

Sixteen-year-old Ralph Yarl was picking up his two younger brothers at their friend’s house. But he made a mistake: He went to 115th Street in Kansas City instead of 115th Terrace. When Ralph knocked on the wrong door, 84-year-old Andrew Lester shouted, “Don’t come around here,” and shot him twice, once in the head.